Dharamsala Aug 20 – The largest Tibetan NGO in exile, Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has initiated a request asking the Nepal Government to release the body of Karma Nyidhon Gyatso, a Tibetan monk. Gyatso, self immolated on August 5, 2013 in Boudha Kathmandu.
Gyatso was from Damshung County located near Tibet's capital Lhasa. He has been identified as being 39 years old and arrived at the Kathmandu Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre on January 30, 2012 escaping from Tibet.
According to reports, we believe the body of Gyatso is in the custody of the Nepal Police Department. In a press release, TYC President Tenzing Jigme stated, "we urge the Nepalese Government to either hand over the body to the Tibetan Community in Kathmandu or arrange for the correct funeral rituals according to Buddhist traditions".
Nepal is a nation rich in culture, tradition and religion. The great Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism was born in Nepal and some of the holiest Buddhist sites are located here. The respect that one has for each other's culture and religion makes this country really unique and great.
The Nepalese people have always allowed for space so that each and every individual living in this nation enjoy the freedom to practice their religion - moreover the people of Nepal have embraced Tibetans with open arms and we are forever grateful for that.
This is the second Self Immolation case in Nepal. Drupchen Tsering, another Tibetan monk, self-immolated in Boudha, on February 13, 2013 and died on the same day.
"Despite requests from the Tibetan community in Kathmandu, diplomatic efforts and international petitioning, his body was cremated secretly without any customary rituals," TYC said.
TYC Vice President Tamdin Hrichoe says, "we hope that Nepal will do the right thing this time. Gyatso deserves the right to be cremated with respect and dignity".
"TYC is the largest NGO in exile working for the freedom of the Tibetan people. Today, on behalf of Tibetans and Buddhists all over the world, TYC urges the Government of Nepal to act on principles and values that the people of Nepal uphold," it further added.
The youth group said it has sent "letters to Nepal Embassy and Consulates in New Delhi, Washington DC, New York and San Francisco as well as Human Rights groups. TYC requests that the Government of Nepal hand over Gyatso's body to the Tibetan Community of Nepal or kindly make arrangements so that proper funeral rituals according to Buddhist traditions can be performed."
Since 1998. seven exile Tibetans have set themselves on fire in India and Nepal in an escalating wave of protest against Beijing's rule in Tibet. Four of them reportedly died later, succumbing to their injuries.
A total of 120 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet since 2009 to protest against the same hardline and repressive rule, demanding the return of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland and freedom for Tibetans inside Tibet and of them 103 were reportedly passed-away from their severe burn injuries.
